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Did you know that you can crack or fracture your teeth if you use them improperly? In fact, cracked and fractured teeth are the third leading cause of tooth loss. If your child decides to use their teeth for anything other than eating, then they face an increased risk of damaging their teeth and facing costly dental repairs. You can help your child avoid these risks by teaching them that teeth are not tools and visiting Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach.
Cut Anything other than Food
It is very tempting to use teeth to open a bag, tear tape or cut a piece of string, but teeth aren’t scissors. When you try to cut something other than food with teeth, they are exposed to harder surfaces that aren’t found in food. Additionally, the pressure needed to cut some of these objects is far greater than the amount needed to chew. This places unnecessary stress on teeth, and can cause them to crack or fracture, which results in a painful dental emergency that needs to be treated as soon as possible by a dental professional.
Hold Things
It is really easy (and incredibly tempting) to use teeth as an extra set of hands to carry that last item up the stairs or from the car, but teeth aren’t hands and they aren’t meant to hold things. Holding items in teeth is particularly dangerous, because one can easily trip and fall and sustain serious oral and facial injuries. Tell your child that they need to be patient, and protect their teeth and face from unnecessary harm caused by using their mouth to carry things.
Open Bottles
There’s not many glass bottles that contain child-appropriate drinks as it is, but if your child likes mineral water or cola from a glass bottle, then teach them that a bottle MUST NEVER be opened with teeth. This is one of the worst, most traumatic things one can do to their own teeth and will likely cause a cracked tooth. Additionally, the hard metal surface can scrape enamel away from teeth, and leave them more susceptible to cavities. If your child must have a drink from a glass bottle, just go ahead and open it for them.
Teeth are made for Chewing Food – and that’s it
The bottom line in all of this is that are not indestructible, and really only designed to process food. If you allow your child, or if you decide yourself to use your teeth as tools, then you are exposing teeth to unnecessary harm that could cause painful, and expensive consequences. Teach your child that the only things they should use their teeth for are chewing, and smiling!
Contact your local pediatric dentist near me today to set up an appointment! And visit our webpage for more information www.mytoothtown.com
Gum disease begins as a simple inflammation (gingivitis) and occurs in almost all kids. It is caused by plaque, a thin, sticky film that form daily in the teeth by an accumulation of debris. If it is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, food particles and many kinds of bacteria mixed with the plaque will cause it.
Although infection is present, there is seldom any pain. If you find your gums swelling and there is a buildup of plaque, you must try to clean the plaque by performing good oral hygiene otherwise the condition can advance to the next level of periodontitis and other dental problems. Gingivitis can be completely reversed by excellent oral hygiene habits. In addition, regular dental checkup is important even for those who have no problems with their oral health. Visit Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach with a friendly place for kids.
If gingivitis is not treated accordingly, it may lead to the second stage of periodontal disease. In this level, plaque develops into tartar. Brushing and flossing will not help to remove tartar because this substance is hard. The infection starts to affect supporting tissue but it has not reached the bone so the teeth have not yet been lost. Treatment for this stage includes professional dental cleaning such as scaling and root planning. These deeper cleaning can effectively remove plaque and tartar.
The symptoms in the third stage of periodontal disease includes redness of gums is increasing, bad breath is worse, and bleeding occurs more often. In this stage, the infection spreads to the supporting bone. It goes deeper destroying the bone increasing bone loss gradually. The pockets become deeper and the tooth is more prone to becoming loose. Treatment should be done to avoid deeper infection. If it is not completely treated, it will eventually progress into more bleeding, teeth loosening, recessed gums, and shifting teeth.
The ultimate stage of periodontal disease is advanced periodontitis where the infection deepens much further. In this stage, the type of bacteria that cause infection start to change and become virulent, increasing further bone loss and teeth loosening. Not only does the infectious bacteria affect oral health, they also cause systemic diseases as they start to enter the blood stream. Symptoms of this stage are no longer unnoticeable. Periodontal diseases can be successfully treated using surgery or laser therapy.
Stages of Periodontal Disease
Fluoride is a component that contain fluorine, a natural component. It helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth, it also reverses early decay. In children under 6 years of age, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also helps speed remineralization as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults.
The Pediatric Dentist considers many factors before recommending a fluoride supplement. Your child’s age, risk of developing dental decay and dietary sources of fluoride are important considerations. Infant formulas contain different amounts of fluoride. Bottle, filtered and well water also vary in the amount of fluoride they contain. Your Pediatric Dentist near me can help determine if your child is receiving –and not exceeding- the recommended amount.
Do not use fluoridated toothpaste until age 3. Earlier than that, clean your child's teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. After age 3, parents should supervise brushing. Use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste.
Depending on your oral health status, fluoride treatments may be recommended every three, six or 12 months. Your dentist also may recommend additional preventive measures if you are at a moderate or high risk of developing caries.
Topical fluoride is a preventive agent applied to tooth enamel. It comes in a number of different forms. The dental hygienist places the fluoride gel or foam in a tray that is held against the teeth for to 4 minutes. Fluoride varnish is brushed or ‘painted’ on the enamel. Varnish is especially useful for young patients and those with specials needs who may not tolerate fluoride trays. Visit our Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach for more information.
Breathing nitrous oxide will put a smile on patient face from the moment their slip into the dentist’s chair. This safe and highly effective method of patient relaxation has helped millions of people overcome their anxieties about dental treatment.
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent used by a Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach that is mixed with pure oxygen and help to relax. This gas, sometimes called “laughing gas,” is one option the dentist may offer to help make patients more comfortable during certain procedures. Its inhalation is a safe and effective technique to reduce anxiety. It has a natural calming effect that lasts only as long as the dental procedure.
Nitrous oxide/oxygen produces analgesia, and enhances effective communication between a patient and health care provider. It is inhaled through a small mask that fits over the nose. The patient responds normally to verbal commands. All vital signs are stable, there is no significant risk of losing protective reflexes, and the patient is able to return to mobility. It is mild, non-toxic and removes itself naturally from the body after use.
This gas benefits are even recommended for patients with certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure, angina and history of heart attacks.
In children, analgesia may expedite the delivery of procedures that are not particularly uncomfortable, but require that the patient not move. It, also, may allow the patient to tolerate unpleasant procedures by reducing or relieving anxiety, discomfort, or pain. Nitrous oxide is the safest, most effective form of sedation to relieve kid fears and ensure a positive experience. Find a Pediatric Dentist near me with knowledge and experience in children in a kid friendly office.
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Accurate images of teeth are essential for detention of tooth decay, gum disease, infection and many other dental diseases. Most all these problems are difficult or impossible to detect without x-ray. This allow dentists to look at areas not visible to human eyes. It is quick, painless and safe.
Dental x-rays are one of the lowest radiation dose studies performed. A routine exam which includes 4 bitewings (image of the back molars) is about 0.005 millisieverts of radiation, which is roughly equivalent to the amount of radiation they are exposed to in the environment on a daily basis. It is also about the same amount of radiation exposure from a short airplane flight. A panoramic dental X-ray, which goes around your head, has about twice that amount of radiation. Many Pediatric Dentist offices today use digital X-rays, which have roughly 80% less radiation than conventional film X-rays, so the effects may be even lower.
X-Ray are needed for many reasons: Detect decay between teeth and diagnose periodontal conditions. Allow dentists to see development and position of permanent teeth and to check bone tissue. Allowing the dentist to see beneath the gum line and clean teeth more thoroughly. Sometimes, without symptom of pain, x-ray can help in diagnose unseen problems and maintain good oral health. Infections can be found and treated before painful swelling occurs. Cysts and growths can be detected and treated before significant jaw damage occurs.
When your child visits the dentist, x-rays may be recommended as part of their comprehensive care. For them, it is as important as it is for adults. X-rays are used to detect decay before it reaches the nerve which is closer to the tooth surface in children. Xrays are needed more frequently in children than adults to help in diagnosing gum disease, plan orthodontic treatment and aid in monitoring teeth development under the gum line.
As children are generally more susceptible to tooth decay than adults, and children with a high risk of tooth decay are recommended to have X-rays taken every six months. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable and affordable. Find a Pediatric Dentist near me to diagnose and treat conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination and to help you and your children to maintain a good oral hygiene.
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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215
Wellington, FL 33414